Press Releases

Banks Statement on the Increase in Military Aviation Accidents

Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement on the significant increase in military aviation accidents over the past five years:

“Over the past five years, the lives of 133 service members were tragically lost in aviation accidents, and in just three weeks, six crashes killed 16 pilots or crew. These sobering statistics shed light on our military’s growing readiness crisis, and demonstrate why it was vital for Congress to fully fund our military. Our armed forces must have the training, tools and resources they need to successfully complete their missions.”

Background
A recent Military Times investigation found that between 2013 to 2017, accidents involving the military’s manned fighter, bomber, helicopter and cargo warplanes rose nearly 40 percent. The two-year budget deal recently passed by Congress provides full funding for the Department of Defense at $716 billion for Fiscal Year 2019.

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Interested members of the media may contact Andrea Palermo at andrea.palermo@mail.house.gov.